Dr. Patrick J. McGee, who is the superintendent of the city’s school department, previously said one case of bed bugs was reported on January 29 to the school nurse, who followed the district protocol and addressed the issue.

“First, let me say that there is no infestation, nor has there been an infestation, of bed bugs at Woonsocket High School or any other school in the Woonsocket Education Department,” McGee said in a letter sent to parents and staff members on Feb. 7.

“Next, the custodial staff at Woonsocket High School followed the district’s Pest Management and Control Procedures and thoroughly treated the necessary rooms on the evening of the reported incident,” McGee said, adding that there have not been any reports or cases of bed bugs at the school since. “Again, this was an isolated case and not an infestation of bed bugs at Woonsocket High School.”

While they are gross, unpleasant and itchy, Joseph Wendelken, who is a spokesman for the Health Department, said the organization doesn’t usually get involved in bed bug cases.

But, said Wendelken, there’s a silver lining.

“The good news, if there is any good news about bed bugs, is that they don’t transmit disease,” Wendelken said, adding that “they’re great hitchhikers.”

The firefighters union president told NBC 10 they are working to make sure the bugs didn’t spread to firefighters homes or homes they may have responded to.